Chapter 17
A week or so later
"Hey," I said, picking up my phone once I saw that it was Kat calling.
"Hey," she said. "I would've texted but I'm driving."
"It's fine. I have you on speakerphone while I'm working. I'm finishing wrapping these right now, and then I have nothing scheduled for three days. Are you still coming to my parents'?"
"Yes, that's why I'm calling. What time are you leaving to head up there?"
"In an hour or so."
"I might follow you up," she said.
"Oh, good. Did you get off early?"
"Yeah, I’m driving to make a deposit at the bank for my manager, and then I'm off. I'm stuck in traffic right now, but soon, I'll be pretty much ready to go. I packed to spend the night. Are you sure your parents don't mind? Do they have room for me to stay in their house?"
"Of course. Normally, they could put you up in one of their cabins, but those are full right now. But even still, they have enough room for you in the main house. They have this big bunk room, game room thing. You and I will probably both sleep in there. We have options, honestly. I know you don't mind sleeping on the couch."
"I don't," she said. "I'm excited to see your parents' camp. I've heard you tell stories but it's hard to imagine. I'm hoping to meet my soulmate at the campfire."
"There's an honest-to-goodness chance you will," I said, laughing. "Seriously, though. There's going to be a lot of people out there this weekend, so you never know. I'm definitely hoping my sister finds someone. That way, I can finally tell her about me and Salem. By the way, don't forget to not mention it this weekend, please."
"I won't. I definitely wouldn't. I know you're keeping it from your family."
"Uh, I hate even hearing you say that. I hate keeping stuff from them. Everybody's been so busy this summer that I've been able to get away with it with no one realizing it. But they'll notice we're together tonight. I'm nervous about it. The longer it goes, the more awkward I feel about telling her. Salem and I are already so comfortable with each other. She's going to feel hurt when she finds out how long I've been keeping it from her."
"She forced your hand, though," Kat said. "You can't forbid someone to be with someone else. What's she thinking? What is this, Romeo and Juliet? "
I laughed because it felt good for someone to agree with me that my sister was being unreasonable. "Oh, I agree with you but she didn't put it like she was forbidding it, she just asked me nicely, please-oh-please, do not start dating him ."
"I get it, Molly, but that's not something she can do."
"I know. I just feel bad for her. She puts a lot of pressure on herself. I think she reads too many romance novels and thinks some perfect guy has to come out of the woodwork at her perfect timing."
"Which is basically before you."
"Yeah. But out of fear, not spite."
"The motivation doesn't matter. The action does. Do you feel like you want to be with Salem?"
"Yes, I do," I said
"Then she shouldn't intervene. Who knows, maybe Sara will meet somebody. She could meet someone at Camp Eden this weekend."
"That would honestly be amazing if that happened. I like our chances, too. There's going to be a lot of people. This is the first time my parents have ever done anything like this."
"What is it exactly?"
"It's a family fun weekend. It's through the church, but a lot of other people are coming. John-Michael invited his math classes before the semester ended. I think the cabins are full and my parents know of at least fifty tents going up. There's going to be a talent show tonight. My dad's excited. He started the fire two days ago. People have been showing up all morning and setting up tents."
"I'm happy you invited me," Kat said. "Are Courtney and Sam coming?" she added, asking about our friends from school.
"No. I knew I'd have a lot going on with Salem being there, so you were the only one I told."
"Does Sara know Salem's coming?"
"No, she never specifically asked me that, so no."
"What about Darren and Michelle?"
"What about them?" I asked, feeling thrown off.
"Are they coming?"
"No, but why would you ask that?"
"I just figured they would be there since they know your parents and they were at your graduation and stuff. They seem to be close to your family."
"No, I, uh, I, no. They're not coming. I didn't even mention it to them."
"Why are you whispering?"
"I don't know," I said, going into my bathroom. "It's his house, and I don't want to go around yelling out that I'm not inviting him somewhere, but I'm not. I'm intentionally not inviting them."
"Did something happen?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm, it's just that Darren… two times lately he's made me uncomfortable."
"Like what?"
"Do you have a second?"
"Yeah, I'm still driving. "
"I was helping him with his closet the other day, and he started eluding to… he was… it just seemed like he was giving hints."
"Sexual hints?" she asked seeming creeped out.
"Yeah, and I tried to pass it off as just him being confused, or having a long day at work. But then yesterday, I was over at their house and he put his hand straight on my leg."
"Oof, he did?"
"Yes. And he said some things, too. That's twice now he has said awkward things. Yesterday, I asked him to his face not to say things like that. It's weird how he talks. He makes these statements where I could take it two different ways, and he smiles at me like he knows what he's doing."
It felt good to admit all of this out loud. I had been uncomfortable twice now, and I hadn't told anyone what happened with Darren. I knew Salem would lose it if I told him. He would ask me why I don't move out of that apartment.
I wasn't opposed to moving, but this was the first time anything like this had happened. And I knew I needed to slow down if there was no hard proof—there was technically nothing for me to tell. Even the physical contact, his hand on my back, and his hand on my thigh, could have been passed off as casual contact for being in close proximity. For goodness sake, Michelle had been in the same room with us when he was touching my thigh .
I wondered if he had always been like that with me and I was just now noticing because I had a boyfriend now. I tried to think back, but I couldn't remember.
"Well, I hope he doesn't think that buying those machines means something," Kat said. "Has he ever alluded to that?"
"No, no, not at all. Everything he says has been casual with no actual proposal or pressure. It's just that he's talking a little bit weird lately. Maybe I just notice it since I'm with someone now. I am not inviting them to my parents' house this weekend. I didn't even tell them what I'm doing. I'll think about it while I'm over there, and then I'll see how Darren acts when I get back. If it was a one-time thing, I still have hope I can stay here. It's been so good for so long."
"I know, I would be sad to leave that place after you just got it all fixed up with your dream kitchen. Would you get to take those machines with you when you go?"
"He said I would, but if I leave now, I honestly don't know. Salem has already mentioned making me a place at his house to put my machines—a second kitchen."
"He did? Already? What did you say?"
"I can't even think that far ahead right now. It's all so new. My family still doesn't even know. I've been to that house so many times, and I just think of it as Salem's house. He offered me that the other day, and it was the first time the thought crossed my mind that I might live there and call that place home one day. It's just such a lovely house, and I honestly never even thought…"
"Are you thinking about moving in with him?"
"No, no, I'm not saying that. All I'm saying is that Salem did offer to build a kitchen the other day. He just said it out of the blue, and when he did, it hit me for the first time that I might actually live in that house one day."
"It might be sooner, if your landlord doesn't start acting right."
"I know," I said.
"I think the first step in any of this is to get your sister off your back."
I laughed. "I think that starts with eligible bachelors going out to my parents' house this evening, so if you know anyone…"
Kat laughed as well. "I'll think about it. He's got to be an eligible bachelor with a tent."
"Yeah, or just willing to drive to and from Kerr Lake in one night."
"It's not that far, really," she said. "And speaking of driving out there… I'm at the bank. I'm going to make this deposit and then head home. I think I can be at your place by two-thirty. If you don't mind, I'll follow you."
"Yeah, that's great."
"It seems easy, but I'd rather follow you so I know where to park and everything. "
"That's perfect," I said. "Thanks for coming. And thanks for letting me vent to you."
"My pleasure. Your life is so much more exciting than mine."
I laughed but I knew I would get rid of that "excitement" with Darren if I could.
I hung up the phone, feeling better about it all. I was glad to have it off my chest. It felt good to mention it to someone and hear their reaction. I was alone in my apartment, but it crossed my mind that there could be cameras watching me. I thought back to what I had just said to Kat and wondered if I should be paranoid there. Only a real sick-o would put a camera in someone's bathroom. I looked up, noticing the blackness of the air conditioning vent and wondering if there was any chance a camera was in there.
I hated that feeling of paranoia. I didn't want to have those sorts of thoughts, and I didn't think Darren would ever do such a thing. I still stood up on the toilet and shined a flashlight in my vent just to make sure.